Boxer Can't Fight His Way Out Of Jail

The judge ruled that Vaxter may not leave the county jail on work-release to resume training as a professional fighter.

An inmate does not become eligible for work-release until he has served half of his minimum term, Grifo said in a brief order. Vaxter, 23, of Easton, was sentenced last July to 2 1/2 years less one day to 5 years less two days for burglary.

Vaxter asked for immediate work-release shortly after Grifo imposed the sentence. The judge turned him down that time too.

Vaxter's lawyer, Lorenzo Crowe, repeated the request last Friday.

"He needs special consideration, in that he doesn't have a job to go to," Crowe said. "His career is boxing. He needs running, road work to continue training."

Director of corrections Robert Olander said Vaxter had been "involved in several programs in the institution. He is an industrious worker with no misconducts in prison." But he conceded that Vaxter will not meet the work- release requirement until next March.